Fleas!

Just a few adult fleas can mean hundreds more are developing a community in your home!

How do I know if my pet has fleas?

Fleas are small (1 to 2 mm long) and move quickly through your pets coat so sometimes they are hard to find. One of the best places to look for them is around the base of the tail. However, you ?re most likely to see small black specks of dried blood the flea excretes at regular intervals A quick brush of the coat over white paper helps to find both the fleas and their dirt.

The fleas you see are only part of the problem !

As discomforting as they may be, the adult fleas you see represent only 5% of the total infestation in your home. About 10 times that, or 50% of the total population exist in the egg stage, approximately 35% more in the larvae stage, and 10% the pupae stage, all waiting to develop. Treating only the fleas you see leaves a huge potential for a continuing problem.

Adult females lay as many as 40-50 eggs a day which drop off all around your house- in carpets, upholstery, around baseboards, pets bedding, your bed, anywhere your pet has been!

What do fleas do to my pet?

• Fleas feed on your pets blood, causing irritation, allergic reaction and in severe cases skin infections and hair loss.

• Ingestion of the larvae cause tapeworm infections in our pet, and nasty intestinal parasite.

• Can cause anemia (low level of red blood cells) especially dangerous for puppies and kittens

• Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)

• Constant chewing can wear down the front teeth especially in dogs

We're Still So Itchy!!

This year has been especially awful for fleas, so don?t feel alone if you are still waging the battle. Pets who have never had fleas before are now also joining the fight. Due to the combination of perfect weather conditions and extended rainy season, the amount of fleas we are seeing seems to be substantially higher than normal.

Do not lose heart, however, there is an end in sight, and several strategies to combat this menace. See the side panel to the left for products that are proven to be affective and vet recommended for ridding our pets and our homes of fleas.

Use of these products along with the following suggestions should see us to a hard fought victory.

1. Chose the product right for your pet and their lifestyle.

2. Vacuum the house thoroughly or mop those hard floor surfaces well. The eggs and larvae can hide for 6 months and then re-emerge in the right conditions. Throw out the mop head or vacuum bags!

3. Start with the appropriate flea control and prevention medication you have chosen.

Treatment Options Available:

Don?t hesitate to ask our staff about these products, we?ll help you decide which is best for you!

• Advantage

Dogs: Every 4 weeks a small amount of liquid is applied to the back of the neck. Works by killing adult fleas, breaking the life cycle. Works on fleas only.

Cats: same as above

• Revolution

Dogs: 1x a month a small amount of liquid is applied to the back of the neck and absorbed into bloodstream. Kills fleas and their larvae prevents heartworm, internal parasites, mange, ticks and ear mites.

Cats: same as above without mange and tick protection.

• Program (if pet and/ or the environment is infested, use with Capstar)

Dogs: Flavor tablet given 1x monthly orally and breaks flea life cycle.

Cats: Liquid given 1x monthly orally and breaks flea life cycle, or injection 6 months protection.

• Capstar

Dogs and Cats: Tablet given orally for immediate killing of adult fleas. Works in 15 minutes, but only lasts 24-48 hours. Requires follow up prevention like Advantage or Program.

• Siphtrol

Home: Home spray that kills adult and pre- adult fleas and ticks in carpets, upholstery, rugs, and floor cracks. Has 7 month residual action.